Search
Search results
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Florida in Books
Jan 17, 2018
Wonderful short stories, despite disjointed flow
For those who are unfamiliar of the landscape and society of Florida, Lauren Groff's collection of stories is enticing and varied. Ranging from the usual depictions of alligators, to the atypical descriptions of those who just want to get away, Groff attempts to show the various characters found in the sweltering heat and stormy climes of southern USA.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the mother who takes her two young sons to France to escape the tropical summers and her restless life. It is detailed and you get a sense of her edginess throughout, worried that something may happen to her children or to have an unpleasant encounter with their overbearing landlord.
My only gripe would be that because each story is not clearly signposted, the flow of the stories become confusing and it takes a minute to realise you've begun a whole new chapter. It is a bit jarring, so shorter stories became completely unmemorable as a result. However, it is a pleasant read overall, I enjoyed her writing style.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the mother who takes her two young sons to France to escape the tropical summers and her restless life. It is detailed and you get a sense of her edginess throughout, worried that something may happen to her children or to have an unpleasant encounter with their overbearing landlord.
My only gripe would be that because each story is not clearly signposted, the flow of the stories become confusing and it takes a minute to realise you've begun a whole new chapter. It is a bit jarring, so shorter stories became completely unmemorable as a result. However, it is a pleasant read overall, I enjoyed her writing style.
Very enjoyable short stories!
This collection of short stories really surprised me. I'm not usually a fan of this type of story (short!), but I seem to be reading more and more of them lately, and I'm beginning to change my mind. Some of these stories are set in Florida, where the natural world seems to be a central theme: uncontrollable, untameable. Two stories are set in France, and another in Brazil. Again, the central characters appear to be in situations where they have no control.
I really enjoyed the stories 'Dogs Go Wolf' where two young girls are abandoned on an island and left to fend for themselves; 'Eyewall', where a woman decides to stay in her home during a hurricane (which I hope never to experience!); 'Above and Below' which tells the story of a young woman who fails her course at university, leaves and becomes homeless. This last story was frankly frightening, as it portrayed how easy it is to become homeless, how little support there is, and how people can become estranged from their families.
A really good collection.
I really enjoyed the stories 'Dogs Go Wolf' where two young girls are abandoned on an island and left to fend for themselves; 'Eyewall', where a woman decides to stay in her home during a hurricane (which I hope never to experience!); 'Above and Below' which tells the story of a young woman who fails her course at university, leaves and becomes homeless. This last story was frankly frightening, as it portrayed how easy it is to become homeless, how little support there is, and how people can become estranged from their families.
A really good collection.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Mary Queen of Scots (2018) in Movies
Dec 23, 2018
I finally saw this film yesterday, and I'm not going to nitpick the historical inaccuracies that much. The only one that really bothered me was Mary having a Scottish accent when she was raised in France. I did roll my eyes at some of them, but honestly, I'm not going to b about it.
The costumes were absolutely beautiful, and I really liked the general story line. Though, I can live my entire life without seeing another damn birth scene in a film. They're all the same, please cut it out film industry.
All of the actors were well suited to their roles, and I did overall enjoy it. The film starts out with the execution scene (not a spoiler alert, it happened in the 1580s), and I was slightly confused as to why Mary hadn't aged at all, but it's definitely explained in the end. It was very effective story telling. This film definitely had the aim of rehabilitating Mary's image, and I believe it was mostly successful. I would definitely see this film again.
The costumes were absolutely beautiful, and I really liked the general story line. Though, I can live my entire life without seeing another damn birth scene in a film. They're all the same, please cut it out film industry.
All of the actors were well suited to their roles, and I did overall enjoy it. The film starts out with the execution scene (not a spoiler alert, it happened in the 1580s), and I was slightly confused as to why Mary hadn't aged at all, but it's definitely explained in the end. It was very effective story telling. This film definitely had the aim of rehabilitating Mary's image, and I believe it was mostly successful. I would definitely see this film again.
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated The Vine Witch in Books
Dec 22, 2019
Slow burning
After seven years of being cursed Elena is finally free, from her wet and cold confines. She travels back to her beloved vineyard she calls home in the Chanceaux Valley of France, only to find there is a new owner, and the vines she loves so much are dying.
Elena offers to help her Grandmere and the new owner, Jean-Paul to revive the vines and bring back the quality wines that were previously made there.
Elena hides her witch abilities, from an unsure Jean-Paul, who believes science is the way behind great wine making.
Expect some witchy chaos, some ritualistic (but tasteful) blood letting, and a lot of wine talk. Elena ends up face to face with her ex, his new wife and the inspector in charge of keeping covenant laws.
Smith writes very well, the setting is written so beautifully and descriptive you can imagine yourself being there. It’s a lovely read, it’s a bit of a slow burner, with a lot of action towards to the end, but stick with it.
Elena offers to help her Grandmere and the new owner, Jean-Paul to revive the vines and bring back the quality wines that were previously made there.
Elena hides her witch abilities, from an unsure Jean-Paul, who believes science is the way behind great wine making.
Expect some witchy chaos, some ritualistic (but tasteful) blood letting, and a lot of wine talk. Elena ends up face to face with her ex, his new wife and the inspector in charge of keeping covenant laws.
Smith writes very well, the setting is written so beautifully and descriptive you can imagine yourself being there. It’s a lovely read, it’s a bit of a slow burner, with a lot of action towards to the end, but stick with it.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Lord Hornblower (Hornblower #10) in Books
Feb 21, 2021
Chronologically the 10th Hornblower novel but the 5th published, this one has a definite air of finality about it, with Hornblower pulled off the invalid list to deal with a mutiny on board another British ship in the Bay of Seine in the year 1814.
Yes, just one year before the end of the Napoleonic Wars and Napoleons final defeat at Waterloo in 1815.
This novel also takes place over that year, from his (successful) completion of that mission, to a landing in the port of Le Havre, to the conference of Vienna where the victors carve up Napoleon's empire, to Napoleon's return and to his final defeat - admittedly, the decidedly not perfect Hornblower may not be personally involved in all those latter events, but they do impact upon him as he is away visiting old friends (from a few novels back) in France when Napoleon returns.
And, I have to say, he has a very lucky escape indeed!
Only 1 more novel to go now to complete the set ...
Yes, just one year before the end of the Napoleonic Wars and Napoleons final defeat at Waterloo in 1815.
This novel also takes place over that year, from his (successful) completion of that mission, to a landing in the port of Le Havre, to the conference of Vienna where the victors carve up Napoleon's empire, to Napoleon's return and to his final defeat - admittedly, the decidedly not perfect Hornblower may not be personally involved in all those latter events, but they do impact upon him as he is away visiting old friends (from a few novels back) in France when Napoleon returns.
And, I have to say, he has a very lucky escape indeed!
Only 1 more novel to go now to complete the set ...
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated A Promise in Provence (Provence #2) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
I so enjoyed how this book brought forth forgiving the past and learning from it.
Kyle Hunter is a new to me author. This book is part of a series and since I have not read the previous book and I was not confused I think it can be read as a standalone.
I loved Kyle Hunter's vivid descriptions of Mark and Laurens's travels through France (and I will admit I am a little jealous of them!). I also enjoyed the character interactions and the challenges they faced. But I will be honest with you, Lauren is not a very likable character through much of the book and I had a difficult time seeing past her wishy-washy self-centeredness. But I did enjoy the overall story. I thought Lauren’s quest to find herself was interesting and I liked the faith-based aspects of the story. So, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
*I volunteered to read this story in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Kyle Hunter is a new to me author. This book is part of a series and since I have not read the previous book and I was not confused I think it can be read as a standalone.
I loved Kyle Hunter's vivid descriptions of Mark and Laurens's travels through France (and I will admit I am a little jealous of them!). I also enjoyed the character interactions and the challenges they faced. But I will be honest with you, Lauren is not a very likable character through much of the book and I had a difficult time seeing past her wishy-washy self-centeredness. But I did enjoy the overall story. I thought Lauren’s quest to find herself was interesting and I liked the faith-based aspects of the story. So, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
*I volunteered to read this story in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated When Twilight Breaks in Books
Mar 3, 2021
Are you looking for a book about German society before America entered World War Two? This book shows that through the eyes of an American reporter and an American student-professor studying languages. We are brought together with these two with Germany and its antisemitic laws.
Hitler is doing something that I genuinely hope the US will not allow happening in today's world. We see what is happening with the Jews in Germany. The book starts to get more interesting when Evelyn finds a false passport and needs to escape Germany.
This book takes the two of them on an adventure through Germany and into France. Will they get home and safe? Who wants Peter and Evelyn dead? Why? We see what happens to the citizens of Germany and how the laws are denoting restricted under Hitler?
Will Peter and Evelyn's friends help them out by hiding them. Why is Evelyn so afraid to be with Peter and possibly be with him. There a surprise how this ends. The story plot is excellent and enjoyable.
Hitler is doing something that I genuinely hope the US will not allow happening in today's world. We see what is happening with the Jews in Germany. The book starts to get more interesting when Evelyn finds a false passport and needs to escape Germany.
This book takes the two of them on an adventure through Germany and into France. Will they get home and safe? Who wants Peter and Evelyn dead? Why? We see what happens to the citizens of Germany and how the laws are denoting restricted under Hitler?
Will Peter and Evelyn's friends help them out by hiding them. Why is Evelyn so afraid to be with Peter and possibly be with him. There a surprise how this ends. The story plot is excellent and enjoyable.
Michael Korda recommended Rififi (1955) in Movies (curated)
Tom Jones recommended Trouble in Mind by Big Bill Broonzy in Music (curated)
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The 15:17 To Paris (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Three Americans discover a terrorist plot aboard a train while in France.
This was an interesting movie. I liked the fact that the actual people involved played their parts, it made it feel a little rough but also made it seem a lot more real. I can't really pick it apart too much, I enjoyed the progression and you engage well with the main players... but I do have one point to raise that ruined the end of the film for me, and lost it a star...
The last thing we see is the reenactment of the Legion Of Honour ceremony where they were presented with medals by French president François Hollande. They spliced in original file footage of the event with the film, which had it just been added at the end would have made a lovely ending. What they did was mix it with "re-shot" footage so that they could get the actor family reaction shots in, which meant a different quality of film and a very dodgy stand in for Hollande.
This was an interesting movie. I liked the fact that the actual people involved played their parts, it made it feel a little rough but also made it seem a lot more real. I can't really pick it apart too much, I enjoyed the progression and you engage well with the main players... but I do have one point to raise that ruined the end of the film for me, and lost it a star...
The last thing we see is the reenactment of the Legion Of Honour ceremony where they were presented with medals by French president François Hollande. They spliced in original file footage of the event with the film, which had it just been added at the end would have made a lovely ending. What they did was mix it with "re-shot" footage so that they could get the actor family reaction shots in, which meant a different quality of film and a very dodgy stand in for Hollande.